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Kathy Weller

617-876-0891 |
Web sites: Wellerwishes | Kathy Weller Pet Portraiture | Wellerwishes Blog

“I have been drawing ever since I could hold a writing instrument, and before then was likely plotting out ideas and drawings in my head for the future use! I know it's cliche, but it's the truth. I loved to draw, and I drew all the time as a child. Obsessively, you could say... and, I haven't stopped since.

I've been creating characters of the cute & fuzzy variety since I was but a wee tot! The first character I remember creating (with the full intention to bring it to market) was called "Cute Animo" (I was 5 or 6). From that alone, you can probably guess that Hello Kitty and the rest of the Sanrio crew played huge roles in my early childhood creative development. Other creative inspirations from childhood include Holly Hobbie, Winnie the Pooh, my stuffed animals (some of which I still have), Disneyland, and the toys and novelty candy items we used to buy at Sav-On (anyone remember "Gold Nuggets"?). Some early artist influences on my creative brain were: Maurice Sendak, Shel Silverstein, Gustaf Tenggren, J. P. Miller, Tibor Gergely, Richard Scarry, Aubrey Beardsley, Alphonse Mucha. Last but not least, my father was probably my biggest influence!

Nowadays, I describe myself as a whimsical Illustrator! I think it's very fitting. My favorite kinds of illustration work are: children's illustration, character development, and decorative work such as borders, frames, patterns, and lettering - - all for children's trade and education markets, stationery, social expressions, gift and collectibles markets. My first children's trade book as illustrator, The Months by Sara Coleridge, (Lobster Press Ltd.), is coming out in September 2007! To see and read about my creative process, please check out Wellerwishes blog.

I also love graphic design , and have been doing that for ten years. Additionally, I began doing pet portraiture three years ago, and it is some of the most gratifying work I've ever done! My pet portrait work has received positive recognition from The Boston Globe , Life magazine , Pampered Puppy.com , The National Post , and others. Please check out my pet portrait blog to see some of the work.

Clients include Macmillan, Lobster Press Ltd., FableVision, and Modern Dog magazine.

I am a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), Graphic Artists Guild (GAG), and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP).”

When did you first decide to become an illustrator?

“There wasn't ever really a question on whether I'd be a career artist or not. It was pretty much a given from the get-go - I did artwork, and that was (happily!!!) what I did, as long as I can remember. The tricky part was finding the right concentration for my artwork ( fashion design/illustration? editorial illustration? children's art? decisions!). Then, once I discovered the perfect fit for me, the next challenge: finding a way to make a living doing it!
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Describe your process for creating an illustration.

“I always start with a pencil sketch, whether I am working analog or digital. Sketching is how I work out the initial ideas, from concept to composition - - it's my 'skeleton' to everything! I do think ideas and concepts take some time to germinate as well. The time differs for every project, but needing some time for this process to take place is a consistent factor. Then, if I am working in pen and ink, I create a tighter sketch from the rough, then follow with technical pen and then finally watercolor paint. If I am working digitally (which I am doing more and more of these days), I scan the pencil sketch, and from there I work in Photoshop, Painter and sometimes Adobe Illustrator.”

What makes an illustration successful?

“A 'successful illustration' just has that special something! It's a totally intangible quality, but you just know it, when it's there. As for when an illustration is complete, 'you just know' when it is cooked. There is no formula... Well,I guess that is the formula.”

If you could be a fun fictional character, who would you be?

“I believe I'd be a cross between Bubbles (of the Powerpuff Girls) and Oscar the Grouch, with maybe a little Cookie Monster thrown in for good measure!”